Before using OSB boards and similar materials, one should at least have read this:
Medium-density fiberboards (MDF) are produced similarly to chipboards, except that the wood is ground down to the wood fiber. First, wood chips are pre-cooked and defibrated, then the fibers are dried and spread with adhesive into a fleece, which is hot-pressed into a very homogeneous material. MDF boards have smooth, sanded surfaces and edges on both sides, are very strong, and can be processed precisely, which is why they are very popular in furniture making. Depending on the intended use, there are different quality classes.
Although wood-based panels mainly consist of wood, the panels may pose a risk to sensitive people – this concerns substances contained in the wood itself, such as terpenes, but also chemicals from the binders used to glue wood fibers or chips into ready-to-use boards.
ÖKO-TEST wanted to know the condition of wood-based panels used for raw and interior fittings and furniture construction. To this end, we purchased four types of wood-based panels in the cut-to-size section at six different hardware stores: raw and white-coated chipboards, OSB, and MDF boards. We sent these 24 products to the laboratories.
The test result
The white-coated chipboards perform well – the coating prevents substances from off-gassing. MDF boards perform very differently: there is even a "very good" product from the Toom hardware store, whereas the Bauhaus board was only "adequate." OSB and chipboards are the most heavily contaminated with harmful substances and are therefore less recommended for sensitive individuals.
Source: Öko-Test